Japan Demands China Investigate Truth Behind Shanghai Japanese Restaurant Stabbing

(CNA, Tokyo, 21st, by reporter Tai Ya-chen) Following an incident where three people, including two Japanese nationals, were attacked and injured at a Japanese restaurant in Shanghai, China, the Japanese government has been continuously demanding an explanation from the Chinese side. Japan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Iwao Horii, who is currently visiting China, stated today that Japan will continue to demand that China "investigate the truth and provide a clear explanation." According to a report by Sankei Shimbun, citing a source in the Japanese government, the Chinese side has not yet explained to Japan details such as whether the suspect intentionally targeted Japanese people. Speaking to the media in Beijing, Horii said, "My understanding of the situation is that the Chinese side has acknowledged the incident occurred and has explained that it is currently under investigation." Horii's visit to China is to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting, which will be held in Suzhou, China from the 22nd to the 23rd. After arriving in Beijing yesterday, he met with representatives from Japanese companies to exchange views on the business environment in China and the stabbing incident in Shanghai. It is understood that Horii has no meetings scheduled with Chinese government officials during his time in Beijing. Furthermore, Horii also spoke about the upcoming APEC trade ministers' meeting, stating that Japan will advocate for the importance of maintaining and strengthening a "rules-based, free, and fair international economic order." He also expressed anticipation for the APEC leaders' summit scheduled for November in Shenzhen, China, hoping that this meeting will lay the groundwork for the summit.